Domain Of Dragons

I got mad writing skillz

Nemeia scouted ahead when we started travelling to Olym, Thalas. We reached a clearing and decided to stop there for lunch. It has delicious raspberries. We see a red dragon fly over us. We hear a huge cat-like roar and lots of noise. The red dragon was fighting our dragon. Small bronze dragon saved our dragon, but got hurt in the process. When the group found the bronze dragon, Domille healed him. The group also found out that the dragon was the one that slept with our druid.

The group went to the tree city and found out that Braxil is responsible for the pillars. However, we vowed to look into the rain issue.

We found the black dragon who ended up being Nemeia’s father. He took our hearts to secure our return from the teeth with a heart of a dragon for his research.

The group went to capture magic animals to help Olym Thalas to withstand an attack. We captured the basilisk eggs (and defeated a basilisk along the way) and found Nydah. She told us that she made a deal with a woodswitch to make rain happen because of the draught. The hag requested 12 sacrifices for each month. The hag is in the other world, so now we are going to go to the portal to deal with her.

Don't judge my writing skills.

We saved 2 people, who are lost and traumatized. They warn us that there are devils (horned people with hooves) at the flatstone and to avoid crossing it. We reached flatstone and saw yellow, sweet smelling smoke coming from syncholes in the flatstone. We also found out that one of the people we saved is an sucre addict. We met a goatman on the flatstone who told us about SolEzmarua – a white dragon who ruled a long time ago. We found a gnoll camp that kidnapped a bunch of villagers. We lured out the snolls out of their camp into a trap and defeated them with some awesome traps.

When we were scouting the gnoll camp, we found an air pillar, gnolls dead and villagers gone. Domille got badass armor from Fairinduil. We follow goat and human footsteps out of the camp and found a round entrance in the ground with big metal doors. We fought the goat men and saved the villagers. We long rested at the village and sent the refugees to the big city appointing one of them as a leader.

Group: Domile, Farinduil, Nemeia and Roywin with a wagon and astride riding horses (and a mastiff in Roywin’s case)

11th of Liben The two villagers from the Gnoll attack in the ravine told us we could find their village (what was left of it) south of the Flatstone. We sent them towards the monastery where they should be safe. The man was clearly in shock and possibly suffering withdrawal from a drug.

13th of Liben As a group we investigated the town of Flatstone but found nothing save tracks leading toward the actual flatstone. We followed the tracks and could see evidence of a camp in the distance. A Satyr approached us – one of the servitors of the white dragon Solzemaria who hadn’t been seen in 800 years. The Satyr requested our help with the villagers. There were too many Gnolls for his people to take on, but if we could distract most of them and get them away from the camp his Satyrs could rescue the townsfolk. We asked why and he told us the townsfolk and Satyr’s had a symbiotic relationship. We trusted him because we were all very gullible.

13th of Liben We hatched a plan. Our best rider was Domile, so our plan was based around Domile making a scene and drawing away the Gnolls from their camp and into a ravine where the rest of us could attack. We built a rockslide trap on the edge of the ravine as well as a pit trap with spikes in the ground. We knew we would be outnumbered so we hoped this plan would work. Domile tried to attract the Gnoll’s attention, but while she was able to anger a few of them, their commander shouted at them to stay in the camp. Domile could think of nothing else to do so she returned and we regrouped. On our second attempt, Nem cast a stealth spell and snuck into the camp and into the Commander’s tent so that she could mimic her voice. Once Domile attracted attention, this time Nem told all of the Gnolls to give chase – and it worked! The Gnolls followed Domile through the ravine, Farin triggered the rock slide, and the Gnolls were destroyed either in the rockslide or shortly thereafter.

13th of Liben Returned to the Gnoll camp and discovered it was empty of Gnolls and of the prisoners. Farin recovered enchanted armor for Domile, and we also discovered a pillar of air – one of the 12 pillars we thought – as well as coded letters between the Gnoll Commander and (we assume) a Gnoll General. The Commander was holding this position to create an army of wind – we think he was planning on sacrificing the villagers.

14th of Liben The drug den of the Satrys: We followed the tracks of the villagers and Satyrs to check on the villagers well being since the tracks did NOT, in fact, lead back to the village. The tracks lead to an underground establishment under the flatstone itself. Weird yellow gases were emitting from some holes, but two did not have gases. We snuck in through one of these and immediately started fighting our way through the drug den. Domile was the first to get affected by the raw Sucre in the air, then Farin, and finally Nem all felt the effects of the Sucre in their system. Giggling ensued, Domile couldn’t speak a coherent sentence, and Nem grew wildly optimistic and self-assured of her battle prowess! The team fought off a giant heart in the middle of the a cold lake. We don’t think that we killed it, but it did sink deep into the depths where we could no longer see it. We freed the villagers, collected samples of raw Sucre and lake water for Derra, and retreated back to the village of Flatstone. The village was in ruins, but we managed to scrounge food in the nearby forests and rested for a 5 days with the villagers.

19th of Liben Onwards! After 5 days of rest we appointed a leader for the remaining villagers and sent them in the direction of Haberlin. Our plan at this point is to continue south towards the city of Olyn Thalas to seek out rumors of a black dragon – which Nem is very curious about..

1st of Liben: Desdamona and Kratos are asked to help escort harvests from some of the outlying farms, they leave.Nem, Domille, and Roywyn investigate the warehouse with unusual sounds, they discover and eliminate a nest of kenku.

2nd of Liben: A squirrel arrives carrying a message for Roywin. Party investigates disappearances in Haberlin. Sergeant Tanir Wranhorn gives them a message for Kratos which they do not open. They promise to bring samples to Dera.

5th of Liben: Party is invited to a luncheon at Lady Rillowy’s Estate. She suggest a black dragon living south of Olym Thalas may be responsible for the rain.

7th of Liben: Nyev and Poln give Domille a prophecy they think may relate to the party.

10th of Liben: Party departs Haberlin, heading east. Spending the night at the Order of Lekuulo.

A 'quick' recap this time..

Down in the sunken Castle

As Nemeia and Kratos were stabilized and resting, Roywin analyzed her new ring. It seemed to glow with some kind of magic.

*Roywin noticed a magical (hidden) door, so when Kratos and Nem awoke they determined to find their way in. Roy found the hidden entry by pressing a stone into the wall. Inside, they discovered shelves upon shelves of ancient texts. They didn’t find anything particularly worth taking for themselves, but determined they would have to tell the school about this discovery as well as the library above.

*Next, the 3 determined to explore the staircase going up since they were still hearing weird whispering coming from below. There was a bedroom above, and again, not much of interest going on.

*Down the stairs, none of them could make out much of what was going on down there, but the stairs had fallen apart and things were in general disrepair. Kratos jumped down, about 10 feet, and managed to hurt himself. He did NOT land on his feet. From his place on the ground, he noticed a weird fleshy glob with hundreds of mouths gnashing the air and taking an interest in his presence. Before he could warn the others, however, Nem thought she was being smarter by lower herself down with a rope. Unfortunately, as soon as she landed the globby mass of gnashing mouths attacked and spit at them, blinding Nem and Kratos. Both were able to hurt the creature bit by bit, even though they were blinded, but the creature made the ground spongy and Kratos and Nem both sank into it. On the second attack, Nem passed out from injury and the creature started gnawing on her legs. Kratos went into a rage, tied Nem to his back and retreated up the rope. Roywin meanwhile had been casting spells at the creature from above (she was the smart one) and accidentally poisoned Nem. The creature kept shrieking and Kratos fell back into the hole – yes, he fell back into the hole. Together, he and Roywin killed the creature, and the floor returned to a solid state.

*Nem awoke, having stabilized once she was not being gnawed on anymore. The 3 friends explored this downstairs room which turned out to be a science laboratory focused on Necromancy. Roywin had a blast. She discovered a letter from the scientists about their trials and tribulations as well as tons and tons of books which she took with her. She now has the ability to learn a new necromatic spell once a day if she studies her books at night.

*Lastly, the group discovered an underground lake where Roywin felt that there was a very strong necromantic presence. Something we wil remember for later. On the way back to the surface Nem added to her personal library a beastiary book, that if she studies 1x a week she can have extra knowledge about creatures of the realm.

Back in Haberlin
*Back in town, the 3 made a decision to stay relatively lowkey. They hung out a lot at the Wicker Goat and listened to rumors of other vistitors – one of which was that a red dragon was spotted in Nymbrixon. They don’t know how valid this is. Another was that there was a very odd smell and noises coming from a warehouse in the warehouse district indicating there was some very odd creatures being held there. The 3 thought they might want to check this out later.

*Together they reported back to the college that there were librarys and librarys of ancient texts in the sunken castle (and they told them about the necromantic presence). Very thankful, Ess’wara told them she would pass that info to there necromancy master who might have more info for them later. She also warned them that they have discovered that the pillar of light was not the only one; that there were others (they don’t know where) popping up, and it was upsetting the balance of this plane. On the off-chance that the group would run into any more of these pillars, she gave them 3 sets of stones to take readings should they come across them.

*Back at the Wicker Goat drinking LeKull, the group is approached by the Silvestri, Isryn who is very apologetic for the way he approached them previously. He offers to rip up or adjust their contracts as much as necessary – he is just concerned for the well-being of the realm. Nem opts out, she would rather be a part of the shadows and on the side-lines (although she wants to continue to travel with this group). Roywin is the only other one who opts out because she is not even a part of this realm originally.

*The group has all been reunited now, and they attend the Maker’s Day Fair the next day….

I awoke to the sound of heavy rain and realized I was alone, although my trusty shortsword was still by my side which is usually a good sign. I must have really been out of it. Last thing I remember… well, was almost being eaten by a Knoll. I shuddered at the thought of how that particular meal may have gone and eased myself out of bed. Sanity check.. arms, legs, horns, tail, sword – all good. And with a stroke of luck I managed to swipe my travel pack as it floated by my knees. Hmm, lot’s of water. Probably not a good sign. But I wouldn’t even be alive without some kind of help so the group must be nearby – but where? No time to dawdle – the inn where I had found myself was falling apart. I found my way to the window and, well, swam through the wreckage of the town as I made my way to higher ground. I surveyed my surroundings, but I had a nagging apprehension. For a town in this much disrepair… something was missing. Then it occurred to me – there were no people, no animals, no screaming. Everything seemed oddly peaceful and surreal, although the rain had yet to let up. Off in the distance I spotted a large cave and what looked like a wagon peeking out. Perhaps where there is a wagon, there are people? With no other clues grabbing me, I slogged my way in that direction.

Upon inspection of the cave it seemed safe enough, and it seemed as though my friends were definitely here. Okay, so my powers of observation aren’t THAT great, there were a multitude of townfolk and goats milling about grumbling in the confines of the cave. While most gave me odd looks (nothing new there), a few of them had seen me carried into town by Kratos so they were willing enough to tell me which way they had gone. That being.. down. In to the scary looking passageway of death. But that’s okay, dark, scary shadows have always been my thing. Well… it was my thing back in Haberlin. In the city. Out here? Everything takes on a new hue and there are so many things I’d never seen before. It nothing if not different, and I’ve clearly been off my game lately. But all things aside, my friends might have been in need of saving themselves so I drew my sword and began my descent.

I picked my way slowly down the passageway, shortsword loose and ready in my grip, my progress taking me further into darkness. What was that smell? I chuckled to myself because I knew that, for once, it most certainly wasn’t me. It smelled acrid, faintly of burning, as though lightning had been cast down here. Could be I was getting in way over my head.. no, I had to stay centered and stand ready to face whatever was down here. Could be magic had been used and that meant I was close – Desdamona was certainly not shy about casting. I reached an opening and with my back to the wall I peered around the open doorway and saw… Kratos!

Kratos was injured and tending to his wounds but we made eye contact and he nearly (nearly!) smiled at my presence. Mostly he grunted in greeting. But as I took in the rest of the room I saw Desdamona was hunched over my dear friend Fairinduil who lay prone on the cold, damp floor. I dropped my guard and leapt over to Fairin’s side. “What happened? Is he alright? What did I miss??” I stammered, unsure of what their response would be. He had always been such a good friend, but xsiol if I ever let him know that I had worried about his safety I wouldn’t live to hear the end of it. Des straightened, lifting her chin slightly in my direction, “I’ve done what I can for him. He seems out of immediate danger” and she moved quickly over to another prone figure, who looked like a small child. At this point Kratos was kind enough to bring me up to speed on current events, thank Io, and I was starting to feel a little more grounded now that I knew what I had missed. I took several long, cleansing breathes to clear my mind (oh yes, the Order would be pleased that this has become almost second nature to me) and as Des finished tending to the.. wait for it… gnome, Roywin, Kratos gently hefted Fairin and Roywin into his arms and the three of us ascended into the cave opening. To be clear, I did offer to carry Fairin, but I let it go when Kratos insisted.

Upon reaching the surface, a young girl approached Kratos as he set down his charges. She was quite a confident little creature, took one look at his wounds and asked him to spit in a cup… at which point I turned to watch this unfold because well… it’s not every day someone asks you to spit in a cup. She trotted over to the cook fire and came back several minutes later with a concoction for Kratos to drink. Poor guy, he didn’t know what to make of it but on the other hand he didn’t seem too worried about it either and so he drank it down, looking at her expectantly. When his wounds and his fatigue started to improve, it was clear that this girl … Dera was her name I think… was actually quite capable with healing despite her young years and she proceeded to mix a brew for each of our fallen. It was not long before Roywin stirred and came back to the land of the conscious. Fairin, on the other hand, was still slipping in and out so we had him take up residency in the back of our wagon as we prepared to move out.

After some glorious mutton for breakfast (everyone was famished), we hitched up our wagon and started the journey to Haberlin with a very sorry looking crowd of townsfolk and their herd of goats trailing behind us. Now that the initial shock of losing their homes and their livelihoods had passed they all seemed to sink further into a depression which was not helped by the ceaseless rain we were having. Speaking of which, that’s about the point when the rain, which was merely an inconvenience on the road, became a bit more life threatening as the temperature plummeted. Startled by the sudden change, Kratos, Roywin and I looked at each other with apprehension. “I don’t know what to make of this, but I do know we need to get out of this weather or it will kill us” I said as I scanned our surroundings for anything that we could take shelter with. We spotted an alcove, not quite a cave, that could at least provide a bit of shelter against the driving rain and we ordered the villagers in that direction. Unfortunately, while we were huddled and attempting to warm ourselves with a little magical heat (and more basic means), we realized there was no room for the goats – but there really wasn’t much we could do about that.

I peered upwards into the sky wondering when this freak storm would stop, and pondered on how our group was going to even tackle issues like weather changes and never-ending rain when my heart dropped into my stomach. A dark shape, a suspiciously dragon-like shape, was circling us, gently gliding lower and lower. Dear Io I could swear it was eyeing us like prey! The others had caught on and even without the freezing rain we were all frozen in awe. The goats were bleating tremendously in pure panic and took off wildly trying to seek escape from the enemy they could sense if not yet see. But it was a short-lived freedom for the goats. The dragon, a great silver beast with a wing-span thrice the size of our pitiful wagon, emitted a blast of pure, icy death from his throat and froze the goats solid. With what I could have sworn looked like a smug expression, the dragon dropped to the ground with the delicacy of an earthquake and feasted.

None of us dared move, but in that moment of fear induced quiet, I pondered if the dragon would actually recognize (or care) that Kratos and I were Aspects. Given the way things usually went, I presumed it wouldn’t make a difference. Nevertheless, and to our great relief (or distress depending on who you ask), upon finishing off the last of the goats the dragon gave us one last glance and took to the skies once more. Within minutes, the temperature returned to normal and we were able to continue our journey amongst grumbling from the villagers over the loss of their goats. Having lived in Haberlin for most of my young life, I tried to reassure the villagers that there are those who offer reparations for losses such as these once we reached town, but I think my words fell on deaf ears. I am half dragon after all, and the dragon is what these folks were focused on hating at the moment. As with many things, people are as ever-shifting as the wind. It brought to mind words Renard left me with upon my departure of the monastery, a reminder that ‘you cannot change the direction of the wind, but you can always adjust your sails.’ Or, in other words, I couldn’t control the way the villagers saw or thought about me at any given time, but I would always have the capacity to adapt.

A Return to Haberlin
The gates of Haberlin towered above our sorry group and I jumped down into the mud to converse with a few of the villagers. We had a few options for getting the villagers settled, but we opted to head to the Bipentic Church. After all, there were not one, but two aspect children in our group so why not take advantage if we could? We already led a hard enough life otherwise. Although, my inner voice hedged, I knew from experience that what may be an advantage one day could just as easily be a disadvantage the next. But that was a bit too philosophical for my current state of mind so I shrugged the thoughts aside and hoped we would have the advantage we hoped for as we passed through the gates of Haberlin.

The BiPentic Church is not a sight to be taken lightly. About a few steps above ‘majestic’, the church rose high above it’s surroundings, with intricate designs carved into the stonework depicting dragons, their histories and the 5 pointed glyph that was the symbol of the Bipentic Church. If my ‘history’ lessons from the street served me well, the symbol was representative of the five ‘heads’ of the dragon. So two identical glyphs intertwined represented the all ten types of dragons – the children of Tiamut and Bahamut. I sighed. Even with my obvious lineage, I tended to steer clear of the Church, so I was not looking forward to this. As we climbed the steps I noticed Kratos had started to hang back and was, not so stealthily, attempting to break off from our group. Great, just what we need. Of all the people we would notice missing upon entering the Bipentic Church. Roywin also noticed Kratos’ attempt to sneak off.

“Kratos! Where do you think you’re going? You must stick with us now.” the little gnome was stubborn and more than a little fiesty, but I think I was starting to like her. She attempted to drag Kratos back in line, and appeared to succeed at it. Although I’m fairly certain Kratos found this all quite amusing and decided it wasn’t worth the fuss to argue.

No sooner had Kratos arrived at my side when a young male Accolyte rushed up to us wide-eyed. “Oh my goodness. You…..” He blinked. “and you!” He looked frantically between myself and Kratos. “This means something. I just know it does! You must come with me. Now!” More than a little surprised by this show of exuberance at our presence, and okay, maybe a little curious, I raised my eyebrows at him. Yup, big gesture on my part. The accolyte kept prattling on and I’m pretty sure he muttered something about a prophecy. And who am I if not one who will follow where life will lead? Even so, I also try not forget myself. I turned to the other young Accolyte, a female this time, and I said, “these villagers have lost their homes and their livestock. Where can we find them shelter and food?”. The first Accolyte didn’t even seem to notice that we were dripping wet and surrounded by villagers. He put a hand on both mine and Kratos’ arms – “Come on, I must show you.” Kratos and I pointedly looked from the boy to our arms, but he didn’t seem to understand that his actions were somewhat bothersome to two well-armed Aspects. The second Accolyte spoke up, “I can arrange to bring these folks to the Mission where they will be given the aid they seek.” Curious, I shrugged, looked back and nodded to Roywin who was sitting with Fairin in the wagon and Kratos and I entered the Church.

Big. Mistake. The young Accolyte, all the while muttering to himself, proceeded to lead us directly into the middle of sermon. Two Aspects interrupting a sermon… boy this sounds like a bad joke. I mean, it was ridiculous. We were met with absolute silence. The two priests stopped short mid-breath and all eyes were on us. I gingerly made my way using all my skills of stealth to stay quiet, not that I could have escaped notice, but it was my way. Kratos, on the other hand, bulled ahead with heavy (armored) footsteps until we were about halfway up the aisle, at which point he seemed to notice we were the center of attention and he slowed, perhaps trying to be a bit more quiet. When it didn’t work, he grunted and continued through a doorway leading further into the bowels of the Church. I felt their stares like a weight settling into my bones until I disappeared into the open door after Kratos.

We followed the young Accolyte into an enclosed cell that held a single table with scrolls scattered everywhere. After a few minutes of expectant waiting, and more muttering about prophecies, we told the boy we’d had enough, there was clearly nothing here for us to see. With creepily good timing, Accolyte number two squeezed herself into the small space and reprimanded number one,

“Poln! Stop this at once.” She turned to us, tilting her head slightly in…deference? “I’m so sorry. Please forgive him. Poln sees meaning in everything. Sometimes it can’t be helped. Poln-come with me at once. Would you two be able to find your own way out?”.

Shocked by the ridiculousness of this moment, Kratos grunted and I shrugged. “Of course.”

And so we were alone. In the Bipentic Church’s archives. It’s like the opportunity was waving to us and holding up a welcome sign. I mean I did spend some time in the thieves guild. So I snooped. Don’t judge. It’d been a long, cold day and my curiosity is never sated. Unef! (fortune!) I had found a hidden panel. Here was where the good stuff must be. Perhaps answers to … something? I pulled four archaic looking tomes from the wall, tucked them into my travel sack, slide the panel back into place and we were good to go. I’d have to find some way to study these later.

Upon making a discreet exit this time, Kratos and I hurried to the Mission so we could collect our friends. As expected, the Mission felt we were not ‘needy’ enough, so they refused to let us enter. Little Roywin on the other hand, they mistook for a child so she was in good spirits being warm, dry and fed. I didn’t mind though, I’d rather listen to the music that oft comes from buying a hot meal and a warm bed at an inn. The first inn, yes, there were a few, chaifed at our appearance. “Ho! No way. We’ve heard of you and your reputation. And we want NO. TROUBLE. HERE. So get lost.” “What do ya mean? That bar fight last time we were in town was a complete misunderstanding..” I attempted. Damn Fairinduil, but he can be so clumsy and think he is so suave when he’s in his cups. Okay fine. Stubborn as per usual I said, “We don’t need this, we’ll go down the street.”

Turns out, our reputation proceeded us a lot these days. No luck at the second inn. Also? It was still raining. I was not in the mood for this. Apparently, neither was Kratos. He glowered at the doorman and cracked his knuckles menacingly. It… sort of.. worked. The doorman started to acquiesce but I felt Roywin tugging at my cloak and making eyes at the ally where a young kid was running off, presumably to collect reinforcements. “Kratos. Not worth it. I know a place. It’s more out of the way but good people. They’ll take us.”

It was a bit farther to travel to get to the Way Station and I sort of let Kratos and Roywin think I was familiar with the inn from when I lived in Haberlin. Truth be told.. I knew of this place, but I’d never been there. I knew it was a way station for wanderers and was, most fittingly, run by an ex-monk from my order. I had never met her, but if what I had learned at the monastery was true she would do what she could for another monk, especially one who had been recently called to Wander. As expected, the doorman of the WayStation was no different than the previous, but Brolryn came striding out to see for herself who we were. Brolryn Skald, a middle aged dwarf and quite handsome in her own way. She carried herself with the ease of a lifetime spent attaining true self as only a monk would know. I tipped my head to Brolryn and gave her a greeting from the Order of Lekuulo. “Nomag wer suaco kagn wux.” Or, in common that would be “may the wind carry you.” It was a common enough phrase among the Order, and it had the desired effect. Brolryn greeted us each in kind, gave us a sharp warning to hold our peace in her establishment and let us in.

Feeling perhaps a little stunned by Brolryn’s strength of character, Kratos didn’t touch a drop of liquor that evening. I think he was worried he might piss off Brolryn although I didn’t tease him about it. Roywin and I had our share of drinks and while I enjoyed the music with an ear tuned to nearby conversations, Roywin danced the night away. It was an unusually enchanting dance, and it was not long before Brolryn joined in. The two of them twirled to the lilting notes surrounded by bouncing lights that danced along in the air about their bodies. I think this must have been some kind of magic, but then again, I’d been drinking an awful lot. I don’t recall turning in for the night, but I do recall numbly awakening to the sounds of Kratos pounding into Roywin’s room in the room next door demanding that she get up already. Geeze, guy must really be an early riser when he doesn’t drink, it’s barely light out! I groaned and looked over at Fairin’s bed. Hm. Still looked a little pale, sleep-muttering about something.

I made my way to the common room and gestured for a plate of eggs to be brought out as I finished strapping my shortsword to my side. At the monastery we had our choice of weapons to practice with, but this old shortsword was the only thing I started my travels with. Having made some loot over the last two span, I could afford something new and I planned on doing so before we left Haberlin. I pulled up a chair between Roywin and Kratos, Rowyn staring dejectedly at her plate pushing eggs around, and Kratos – shoveling mouthful of eggs and sausages into his maw. “So where to today?” I started in, " market? We could see what’s open with this storm still going. Maybe get some new weaponry…" I suggested hopefully trailing off. Kratos, ever the mercenary, “Stones first, get paid. Market later.” Wow, what a conversationalist. Roywin nodded a few times and bravely nibbled at her food. “Okay… stones first. Point taken, getting paid is a plus. We’ll leave the rest of the crew here today. Who’s ready?”

An Unexpected Encounter
First stop of the day, the school of magical nonsense (or something, something). Don’t get me wrong, magic exists and it can be helpful..sometimes. But I feel strongest using my body as a weapon and tool and not trying to control some mystical force. Although Ki is a kind of life force that I have started to learn to harness.. hmm.. definitely something to think about some more. Perhaps during my next meditation. We were directed to the offices of an older dwarf named Ess’wara Farrowgreen, whom we introduced ourselves and presented the magical stones to. Ess’wara took the stones and put them aside on her desk and began shuffling through her papers once more. We requested additional information about the stones and what it all means, but she wasn’t in a sharing mood.

Kratos stepped up his game and actually lied to her, “the contract stipulates that we are to bring any information you can provide us with about the stones back to the Silvestri.” The professor eyed Kratos and began rummaging for our contract. After a few moments of “hmm hmm-ing” she threw her hands up and told us to come back in a few days and she would have more information then. “But before you go,” she went on, “you seem like the adventuring lot. There has been a report of some strange outcroppings of rocks about a half-day’s travel from here. If you were looking for something to do, you might investigate and see if you can find any books worth bringing here to the college. We would pay you for anything of value, of course.” “We’ll think on it” I said, not willing to commit to anything just yet. Not willing to leave without some kind of receipt in hand for a job done, we had Ess-wara draw something up and the three of us headed to Silvestri for payment.

And thus we ended up at the stronghold for the Silvestri, which I never felt was a very flattering place. Perhaps they were going for the scary, ’don’t care what you think’ kind of look that shows they are both powerful and influential. I snorted to myself, powerful people always feel they have something prove, but as a rule I generally wasn’t interested in their intentions. We were met at the gates by a tall high elf who seemed rather pleased that he could look down his abnormally long nose at us.

“And who… might you be?” he questioned us.

Kratos intoned, “We have fulfilled our end of a bargain with the Silvestri. We are here to collect.”

“Mmm…yes. Just a moment.”

And he wandered off. Truth be told, he made us wait a good long while before returning, at which point I was convinced he was making us wait just to show he could. Io but I can’t take the nature of the Silvestri most times.

After what seemed an eon, Sir Something Up My Butt came striding back to the gates with none other than Isryn Ahkan accompanying him. Isryn had originally hired Kratos for this job, but when Isryn gestured to us all to follow him inside my eyes narrowed, there was definitely something going on. Regardless of suspicion, I followed him inside along with the rest of my friends. Kratos and Desdamina seemed right at home, Kratos having had many dealings with the Silvestri and Des, well, these were Des’ people. Roywin… Roywin actually still seemed a bit hungover and I was not getting much of a reading from her.

We descended into a cool, dark room that held one, long meeting table. Isryn sat himself at the end of the table and gestured to us to join him. As we each took our seats a heavy ‘thunk’ echoed throughout the room and I realized, without a doubt, that we had just been locked inside this…cell… for lack of a better term. What the hell did they want with us?

“First, your payment for a job completed”. And he passed us each a purse with 35 gold pieces. “Now, as you might be wondering” Isryn jumped in, “I have brought you here today to offer you a deal. These are dark times and there are more uncertain times ahead of us. To that end, I, the Silvestri that is, have need of agents with your particular… skills.”

“Is this some kind of a job?” Kratos cut in.

“As a matter of fact it is some kind of a job.” Isryn smiled, a toothless, humorless smile that sent shivers up my spine. “You have been causing quite a commotion in town recently.” No reaction from any of us. “As two Aspects, traveling together, you could be seen as both a good omen or… a bad one. The Silvestri, of course, are quite capable of elevating your status in either case. In the latter, you would be ostracized and reparations sought. In the former, you would be paid a fair stipend to stay on retainer for such jobs as the Silvestri see fit to require of you. It’s your choice. It’s quite simple really. Each of you will be asked to sign a contract stating your willingness and ability to abide by the rules as I set forth and then you will be free to go. We only ask that you keep us informed should you plan on leaving the city. Should you not wish to sign, you may think it over until you come around to our way of seeing things.”

“This is easy money. I’m in.” Kratos said.

“Hold on there Kratos” I turned to Isryn, “And what kind of jobs would the Silvestri be requiring of us?” I asked sweetly, my temper flaring hot. I did not make a habit of letting myself be used for the devices of others. I’d been down that road, and I wouldn’t go back. Kratos gave me an “are you kidding me right now?” look. Oh for Io’s sake he is truly a mercenary straight to his bones. I smiled sweetly right back at him.

“I couldn’t possibly predict all of the jobs we may have need of you for.” Isryn gave his cold smile again, “But, for starters, we would require you both to appear at the Maker’s Day fair four days hence to receive honors for saving the townsfolk of Ghatford.”

“Hmph” I snorted, “Well of course the first job is innocent, but I, for one, won’t be coerced into doing your bidding. No way.”

Isryn ignored me and looked to Roywin, “And do you travel with these folk as well?” At Roywin’s nod, Isryn put another contract in front of her and said, “then you will also be required to sign.” He looked to Desdamona. “And Desdamona dear, your parents are a bit disappointed with you of late, and would very much like to see you.”

“Maybe we could just think about this and come back when we decide what to do.” Roywin suggested.

“Oh my dear” Isryn said, almost apologetically, “but you won’t be leaving until you decide.” Isryn’s demeanor hardened, “And if you decide not to sign, then you won’t be leaving at all.” he said coldly. He paused, then smiled again. “So I’ll just give you all some time to think this over. When you make a decision, you can call me with this.” He placed a small bell in the center of the table and proceeded to… disappear. No doors opened, he just up and went “poof” like mystical beings in fairytales.

“Well this is ridiculous, let’s just sign and get out of here. It’s the easiest money I’ve ever made.” Kratos said.

“I don’t like it.” I shook my head. “I refuse to be a pawn in the hands of the Silvestri! I vote we don’t sign.”

“Oh well, maybe it won’t be so bad. And what are we going to do just stay here forever?” Roywin asked. But I could tell Roywin wasn’t so worked up, she came from another plane of existence after all. None of this had any real permanence for her.

“A good point.” I said. “We can’t just stay locked up either. I change my vote. We sign and then we can say ‘fuck it’ later and not do their bidding. Let them come for us then when they don’t already have us locked in a room.”

“Either way, it’s signing so let’s do it.” Kratos agreed.

I picked up the bell and Isryn reappeared. “And what have we decided?” he asked.

“We’ve decided to sign” I said with my best impression of sweetness. I scrawled a name on my contract, not sure whose name, but it wasn’t mine, and I handed it to Isryn. Isryn looked down at my name and back at me but didn’t say anything. Take that, Silvestri scum.

Having signed our lives over to the Silverstri, (okay, don’t judge, that’s what it felt like), we were allowed to leave. But, foulest of moods that I was in, I couldn’t help but get excited about going to market. I led the group back through the market and into a weapons shop run by a gruff old dwarf named R’sar. His fluffy grey eyebrows were furrowed into a scowl, but as soon as he saw he had customers his whole demeanor perked up and he greeted us like we were old friends. “Why hello there! What can I interest you in today?”

I sidled up to his workbench trailing my fingers along the hilt of a double edged battleaxe – it was a particularly fine piece of craftsmanship. “I am in the market for a set of knives. Newly wrought.”

“Ahh. I can help with that. Was there anything specific you want me to include for the set? Shall I balance them for right-handedness?”

“Actually, I’m left handed.”

“Indeed! Good to know – that will be important for crafting the blade for the lady.”

“And I’d like to include an aspect of the dragon as well as a piece of the wind in the hilt. Can you do that?”

“Capture a piece of the wind? I’ll try, at that!” he laughed, a deep, genuine chuckle. “Beautiful, a set of knives… custom built… that’ll be 6 gold pieces for the pair and they’ll be ready about 3 days hence.”

“I’ll give you half now, and half on delivery. Fair?” I hedged.

“Fair enough! And what can I get for you, sir?” He said leaning his frame towards Katros who was eyeing the weaponry on the walls.

“I like this, but nothing custom. I’d like to take something with me now.” Katros said, hefting a maul.

As R’sar helped Kratos pick a good fit and proceeded to haggle over prices, Roywin was busy replenishing her basic supplies which had been lost in the flood. I leaned against the frame of the doorway watching the rain plop heavily in the already muddy square as I waited for my companions to finish their business. My mind wandered and I wondered at the Silvestri’s intentions, good or bad. Did they really have the city’s best interests at heart? Either way, we were still pawns to them. I sighed.

A Castle Discovered
Back at the WayStation, we made a merry troupe, bellies full and no immediate dangers to speak of. We drank, we shared, and even sang a few rounds of a the Wanderer’s Shanty although we couldn’t find the right pitch if it had shot us with a longbow.

“So what are we going to do with ourselves the next few days?” Roywin ventured.

“Hmm.. I suppose we could go a-questing and seek out the cave that Ess’wara mentioned” I mused, “could find something interesting.”

“And get paid for it” Katros chimed in. “Only half a day’s travel. We can be back in time for the Maker’s Day celebration.”

“Also true” I agreed hesitantly. “Alright, it’s settled, yes? We’ll leave in the morning.” I said to gestures of agreement from Roywin and Katros.

The following morning went much better than the previous, with no hangovers to speak of. Desdamona opted to stay with Fairinduil at the inn to ensure he would continue to heal, so the rest of us hitched our wagon and, get this… Roywin saddled her… mastiff… which she had acquired in the market the prior day. Roywin was, quite possibly, the cutest renegade gnome you could imagine. Astride her great furry mastiff she was carefully etching runes into the wood of a brand new quarterstaff. Regardless of the rain, she quietly widdled away as we rode.

After a short while, we spotted a stone outcropping in the distance that jutted out from the side of hill. It was situated just beside a river, so given the constant rain of late, we opted to hitch our horses (and mastiff) among trees on top of the hill. Satisfied that our things were at least partially hidden from the main road, we climbed out onto the rocks and ducked into the first opening we could find.

Once accustomed to the dim light, I noticed we were in a woman’s bedroom – probably someone of noble birth based on the furnishings. The bed posts were intricately carved to depict dragons, very old dragons. But even though the furnishings screamed ‘nobility’, it was painfully obvious that the room (and every room we came across), had already been tossed and combed through for valuables. Neverthless, Roywin and I meticulously went over every inch looking for hidden gems and Roywin did manage to find a single gold and diamond earring worth a small fortune.

After making our way through a few more rooms, we determined that we must be in a tower of a castle, only the castle lay underground for some unknown reason. As we made our way down a spiral staircase further into the castle, we noticed that while some of the windows were caked with dirt, still others just showed heavy darkness on the other side. And I mean you could sense the darkness like a weight on your body. When you put your ear to these windows all you could hear was what sounded like a thousand whispers echoing in a cavern – if that’s even what we were hearing. Mostly the darkness had a weight to it, and I couldn’t really put my finger on the source of dread that accompanied it.

While Roywin and I insisted on combing over every inch of the castle for loot, Kratos kept pushing us forward with his impatience. Eventually the three of us split up to cover more ground as nothing had seemed particularly dangerous up to this point. Kratos had edged his way to the far end of the dark hallway and was opening as many doors as he could find. I, on the other hand, was following in his wake a bit more slowly and actually going in to some of those rooms. Roywin held up the rear with her lighted staff and was taking her time looting.

The first room I entered was a library. My immediate thought was that here is where we’ll find some books that the college may be interested in buying from us. But as I peered through the darkness to see if there was anything of value, I felt a creeping chill spread over my senses. I couldn’t explain it really, but I wanted nothing to do with the darkness in this room so I backed out into the hallway with my sword drawn. I looked up and down the hallway, but Kratos and Roywin were still out of sight. Behind me was another room, a nursery.

Feeling stubborn, and more than a little miffed at my reaction to the library, I scanned the nursery. All seemed quiet, so I took a few steps inside. Nothing felt particularly strange so I peered into the bassinet and WHAM! I felt a rush of cold envelope my limbs. Surprised, I let out a shriek as I felt something attacking me… but I couldn’t see it! I slashed wildly with my shortword but it slid through nothingness as though I were back home in the training yard with no opponent. I felt the energy draining from my limbs and I knew I had to get out of here as quickly as possible or I would surely die.

Now was as good a time as any to harness my Ki. I had been practicing this during my meditations, but hadn’t ever used it like this, at least not yet. I closed my eyes to help still my mind and I reached for my inner Ki. I felt a faint tugging sensation in my chest. Was that the Ki or was I dying? I couldn’t be certain, so I re-focused my mind and concentrated only on the steps it would take to move myself out from the cold grasp and into the hallway and… I let go. I have never felt my limbs move so fluidly as I twirled away from the ghostly grasp and rolled myself into the hallway. Gasping, I screamed for Kratos and Roywin once more, and, pulling myself to my feet I stumbled in Kratos’ direction.

No sooner had I reached Kratos, than we heard Roywin “I’m coming!!” and then, “Aaaackk!” as something seemed to have attacked her. Fearful that she had just run into the arms of whatever had attacked me, I edged my way to the corner where the hallway turned, and, notching an arrow to my shortbow, I peered around the corner and let loose an arrow towards the space where I ‘felt’ the ethereal being would be. While the ‘thing’ didn’t seem harmed by my arrow, it did give Roywin enough time to harness her magic and fling what looked like balls of light at the being. With each impact of these magical bullets, we could see the smoky outline of the being somewhat dissolve while at the same time piecing itself together again. By the time the third bullet struck home, however, it was too much and the being dispersed completely. Roywin let out a sigh and stumbled over to me. “I think we need to take a short rest.” I nodded, a bit dizzy myself. So with Kratos supporting us, we made our way to the upper levels for a short rest before venturing deeper into the castle.

Softly at first, I heard Roywin and Kratos’ voices drift into my consciousness as though from a great distance. I held on to their voices as I pulled my mind back into the present situation. I had been meditating to help my body heal faster. Some people have magic, I have my body and my mind. I opened my eyes to find Kratos towering above me, “Ready?” he asked. I nodded. “Let’s go.” I wasn’t anywhere near full capacity, and I could tell Roywin was in a similar boat, but that wouldn’t stop us from exploring.

Weapons held ready, we finally approached the bottom platform of the tower’s spiral stair case. While most of us had dark vision, we were still limited in how far we could see without a little light. We appeared to be at the entrance to the cavern that we had sensed through the windows earlier. I nudged Kratos forward, “who wants to go first?”. Kratos grunted, hefted his maul and took two steps into the wide expanse when a booming voice suddenly echoed through the room.

“WHODARESDISTURB ME???”

“Uh, my name is Kratos.” he said into the void

“IF YOUCANNAME MY MOTHER, I MIGHTNOTKILLYOU” came the response

“Hey” I whispered, “Go with, uh, Io. Something draeconic?”

“Io.” Kratos’ voice echoed into the silence.

Just then I noticed Roywin pitch her head to one side as though listening. As she opened her mouth to speak, I heard it too – a groaning, wheezing sound accompanied by shuffling and scraping against the stone of the chamber. Two undead corpses were shuffling towards us from either side.

“YOUHAVECHOSEN… POORLY. YOUWILLDIE!” threatened the great voice.

Just then an arrow whizzed through the chamber, followed by a second. I would say it was a close call, but I’m not sure the archer was really aiming. Both arrows hit the walls of the stone chamber harmlessly, well to each side of my companions. Roywin and I rushed out into the room, shortsword comfortable in my grip and quaterstaff set defensively in Roywin’s.

The first of the undead shambled towards me. Why wait? I slashed out, connecting at the shoulder and setting free it’s arm. On my downswing I allowed my body’s momentum to carry through and landed a spinning back kick square in the chest of the undead. I felt ribs crack and the being was thrown back a few paces but to no avail – it kept coming. I could hear Roywin’s intonations at my back as she threw magic at the other being. Out of the corner of my eye, I almost sensed more than saw, a third corpse appear from behind a column further into the chamber. The third corpse let loose two more arrows – this time definitely aiming for Kratos. Luckily, both arrows missed their mark again. As the first corpse closed the gap between us I readied my blade and slashed it’s head clean off. I turned to find Roywin about to go down beneath the second corpse, but Kratos was almost to her side – they could handle that one. That left me to take care of the third, as I’m fairly certain I’m the only one who had spotted him at this point.

I ducked over to the bannister – yes, there were indeed more stairs running down both sides of the cavern. I could see more of the room now, and it was indeed a cavern opening into a grand space lined with columns. Columns behind which our undead friend was lurking. I sheathed my shortsword and drew my bow, taking care to stay out of sight. Arrow notched, I crouched in wait for the fiend to make his move.

I saw a bow appear, followed by a head and torso. The undead took aim at Kratos just as I let fly my readied arrow, an arrow that harmlessly glanced off the column. Drat. I heard Kratos bellow in surprise as an arrow found his flesh between plates of armor. I wiped sweat from my eyes and took a steadying breath, readying another arrow. Kratos bellowed again, but this time he was going into a rage and he started pounding down the stairs on the far side of the grand room. I edged my way, still crouched, down my set of stairs and watched for signs of the undead. There! He was readying another arrow for Kratos – clearly, giving the wrong answer to the ethereal voice put Kratos at the center of their malice. I breathed deeply, willing my body to cooperate, and fired on the undead lodging an arrow in his sinewy ankle. Unfortunately, being undead, he didn’t even seem to notice.

Kratos, having closed the gap between them, lunged with his maul, forcing the undead to drop his bow in favor of close quarters combat. I heard a crunch and knew that Kratos must have connected, followed by a gust of cold, but then I heard a gasping noise and what sounded like a body crumbling to the ground. White lights rocketed through the air and I knew that Roywin was somewhere near the top of the stairs unleashing magical bullets on the ‘still’ undead. I had reached the bottom of the stairs at this point and, seeing Krato’s still form I pulled my shortsword as the thing turned and started shuffling towards me. I slashed with my sword, sending decaying flesh flying, but as I spun out of the way it managed to brush my skin with a dead hand sending a cold feeling through my body, as though my blood was growing thick and slugglish. No longer able to hold my ground, I dropped to my knees, one hand on the cool stones to steady myself. Another blast of cold slammed into the undead and I watched as it struggled to move. It appeared to be slowing, and frost was creeping over its limbs from the torso out. It kept reaching for me, but with a satisfying crunch I saw that it had frozen solid – one arm still extended towards my face. But just as suddenly, the darkness crept in on my vision as I sank fully to the ground.

I don’t know how long I was out when I felt tiny hands on my face. “Nem? You’re gonna be fine. I’m going to try to stabilize Kratos.” I heard Roywin scamper away and her voice echoing with satisfaction back to me, “I shattered the heck out of that thing!” And then I let the darkness take me, but this time, it felt more like falling into a deep sleep.

or: A Typical Day for Our Adventurers

I wrote this on Friday but never posted it, so here we are! It’s super wordy. Sorry.

After a long and bloody battle with the gnolls, Tamlyn has run screaming into the night and Kratos– dripping with warm blood and his rage retreating –points to the thread of light, still illuminating the dark night as if it was a misplaced slice of day. Desdemona nods, exhausted, but approaches the light as close as she’s able. The memory of the shrieking, vaporized gnoll is still fresh in their minds. Desdemona pulls the mystic stones from her bag and, still wary of distance, conjures a large, spirit-made hand. Each move she makes is reflected in its ethereal form. The group watches as it picks up the stones and places them in a triangle around the light. They begin to pulse and glow with color, a sunset of colors warming on their surface. The air seems to vibrate. After a handful of silent minutes, the glowing stops. There is a tense, expectant moment where the group waits for something else to happen. Nothing.

Desdemona, still in control of the large, floating hand, picks up the stones and drops them in front of the group. The hand fades into nothing. She picks the stones up– still glowing and rather hot to the touch –and sets them carefully back into her bag. “That’s our job done,” she says.

“Let’s get back,” Kratos says. “I’ll carry Nemeia.”

His chest might puff out in pride at this, but no one remarks on it. Fairin definitely makes a face behind his back. The group walks back through the stinking, fetid gnoll graveyard, across the outlying field, and up a small grassy hill. They make camp, the strange thread of light always in their sight, and sleep under the stars. The next morning, they set out for Haberlin. Nemeia is groggy, still not fully recovered, and Kratos helps her on their way.

As they walk toward Haberlin, there’s a rustling in the brush nearby. As they move, the rustling seems to follow. Desdemona is quick to notice, and gives a little shout to whatever is very un-stealthily following them. A bit more rustling and then out comes– a gnome.

“That’s… new,” mutters Fairinduil. Which is fair. He didn’t think gnomes even existed. Kratos, diplomatic gentleman that he is, picks the gnome up and shakes her, demanding to know what she is, who she is, and what business she has. After enough shouting and motioning for Kratos to put her the hell down, the gnome dusts herself off and shyly begins her tale. Her name is Roywin, and much like Kratos and Desdemona, has been charged with gathering information on the strange thread of light. Roywin sneaks glances at the slightly glowing stones inside Des’ bag and asks to see them. She’s met with an awkward pause and a firm no. “But we’re headed to Haberlin, if you’d like to join us there,” Des says.

Roywin agrees. The group now has a gnome. Kratos stares suspiciously at her as they walk, but after a while forgets to watch her, seemingly not thinking she’s much of a threat. Fairin watches her movements with curiosity. Because she’s a gnome. A gnome. As if two enormous horned aspect children weren’t enough. They were going to be the life of the party anywhere they went. And probably not in a good way.

The sky darkens, a little too early to be evening. On the horizon, dark clouds are gathering. When it’s pointed out to the rest of the group, there’s mixed reactions. This region is in a drought, so Des, Kratos, and their new gnome friend think it’s great. And Fairin– well, he doesn’t think it’s ominous. No, not at all.

Once evening hovers over the land, it begins to rain. There’s lights a little north of them, and the group decides to make their way towards what is certainly a town. It is– a small village by the name of Ghatford. It seems to be built on a river bed, and the group descends, past wooden houses and pastures of goats, to a stone-built inn and tavern. There’s only three rooms available – the fourth is leaking with rain. They pay a few coins for the night. Desdemona takes a room for herself, feeling a little too important with the stones in her bag. Fairin brings Nemeia into a room– and let it be said Nemeia’s caught a bit of venturing sickness. She’s floating in between planes and Fairin thinks if you’ve got to have a roommate, why not let it basically be a half-ghost version of a friend? Yeah. Exactly.

That leaves Kratos with Roywin. They put down their packs in their rooms upstairs, and then head back down to the tavern to have a few drinks. Kratos somehow manages to convince the entire crowd at the tavern that they are definitely, totally, absolutely responsible for the rain. They did magic. With rocks. It was all very exciting and dangerous. Needless to say the town is half-drunk and ecstatic at the news that a ton of strangers changed the weather. None of the group has to buy their own drinks.

Three villagers sit down with the group when they hear this– Joze, Alexi, and Sebastian. They trade stories, talk about the town, but then Alexi brings up a topic both Joze and Sebastian dislike: a place on his land called Hagan’s Tooth. There’s superstition about the area– which Alexi laughs and waves off –saying it’s a regular old cave that no one seems to like for no reason in particular. It’s said that the owner of the land that the cave lies on will eventually go insane. But Alexi’s doing just fine, so they continue drinking and chatting.

The next morning, everyone’s having breakfast downstairs. Kratos seems to be inhaling his food rather than eating like a normal, civilized person, which seems to only offend Des. It rained throughout the night, and is still raining now, the pattering against the inn’s roof making it clear it will mostly likely rain the rest of the day as well. Fairin is halfway to putting some bread in his mouth when there’s swift rushing sound.

Water has flooded into the inn through the outside door. The floor is suddenly a few inches deep with water. The rain is still pounding down, and the water is steadily rising. Someone curses. Desdemona is up and running up the stairs, Fairin jumps over to Roywin and picks her up from the rising water without asking (“Uh, sorry?” he mutters), while Kratos continues to shovel the rest of his breakfast down his throat.

Desdemona is upstairs, grabbing her bag from her room. Fairin quickly follows, Roy still in his arms. He sets her down, and a moment later Kratos is upstairs as well. Outside, the water is several feet high, the rain pouring in sheets, and the current looks strong. They need to get out of there, fast. Several things happen:

Desdemona jumps out of her bedroom window, trying to scale down the side of the building and into the water. She missteps, and falls.

Fairin pulls Roy onto his back with a “Heave ho, little buddy,” and jumps from the hallway window and outside, right onto the roof of the next building over. He lands gracefully, Roywin still on his back. Kratos follows.

Desdemona gets up, struggles through the water to the building where the rest of the group are. They lower a rope. Kratos and Fairin heave Des up the building until she’s on the roof with them.

The building ahead of them– where they were going to jump next –has caught fire. “Oh for fuck’s sake–” Fairin begins, but it is cut off as Kratos charges past them and jumps onto the roof of the flaming building and then falls through, right into the building’s inferno.

Fairin scales carefully down the east side of the building, where the current isn’t as strong, Roywin with him still. Des also tries to scale down but manages to slip again and crashes into the water. Fairin throws a rope, pulls her to relative safety.

Inside the burning building, Joze is calling out for his daughter, Dera. Kratos finds her, picks her up and hauls her out of the front of the building, Joze not far behind. There’s three panicking horses nearby, and a wagon which is stuck fast. Kratos lays Dera down on the wagon and instructs Joze to stay with her. He can’t walk past the horses without them kicking him wildly so he manages to set one loose.

Meanwhile, Des is able to make her way to one of the horses and is using some kind of druid animal magic to calm it down. Everything seems to be doing okay until a huge wave crashes into Roywin, pushing her downstream. She manages to grab onto the corner of a building and Fairin is about to help her when a hand grabs onto Roywin’s leg, trying to pull her under. Between Roywin’s shriek, the pounding rain, the rush of water, and the phenomenal amount of luck they’ve been having recently, Fairinduil assumes the worst. He nocks an arrow into his crossbow and fires. It’s a perfect shot. The hand releases Roywin, blood stains the water, but another rush of the current and Roywin’s fingers slip. She’s whisked downstream. As she goes, the unknown shape that dragged her down buoys up to the surface of the water– a dwarf woman. She’s bleeding heavily, unconscious, and is taken downstream by the current as well. Fairin throws the crossbow across his back and, full of anger and guilt, let’s the current take him downstream, to see if he can find Roy and the dwarf woman.

Kratos can’t get the wagon loose or the horses to cooperate, so he has Joze take his daughter to the high land to the north, where the rest of the villagers are gathering. Des’ horse has calmed down and she’s able to take him through scrub brush, which slows the water, and up onto high land. The water has slowed, the current not as fast and strong. Kratos makes his way to the gathered villagers.

An enormous, panicked wolf breaks through the brush as well. He’s starving, and traumatized, and headed straight for one of the villagers. Before Des can try to calm the creature, Kratos throws his javelin. It’s a near miss but it panics the wolf even further and it goes for the first thing it sees– a village boy. There is blood everywhere. Kratos throws another javelin, and Desdemona’s magic makes the wolf run off. Des gets close to the boy who is still alive, but not by much. She leans down, feels the earth in her hands and her blood and whispers words that no one can hear. In a flash of light, the boy is whole. He gasps awake and stands. The villagers are in awe. Their town has been destroyed, but one of their own was saved.

Fairin washes up onto a sandbar, where Roywin and the dwarf woman are already laid out. Roy is fine, just waterlogged, but the dwarf doesn’t look good. Fairin rips the sleeves from his shirt, pushes the arrow from the woman’s body, and wraps the cloth around the wound. Roy helps him keep pressure on the wound in an effort to save her. She stabilizes. They bandage her as best as possible, and see a commotion up ahead of them, and what looks like a wolf running through a crowd. Fairin lifts the woman up and half-carries-half-walks her toward the villagers, Roy in his wake.

The villagers have a hard time accepting the group after the whole “Kratos-and-his-friends-made-it-rain-in-the-first-place” spiel, but it works itself out. Everyone is very wet, very ragged, and it’s still raining. Alexi points out that Hagan’s Tooth has plenty of room for the villagers and their goats, and so they set out.

At the cave’s entrance, Roywin shines some light on her dagger, and a sphere of light seems to glow from it. She ventures deep into the cave, but when she returns, there’s nothing eerie to report. The villagers gather into the mouth of the cave, with their goats, and settle into sleep. There’s a long descending tunnel that opens into another room. The group follows it. They decide to sleep in shifts, keeping watch in case of any further bad luck. When it’s Desdemona’s shift, there’s movement from the front of the cavern. Alexi, the villager whose land they were on, creeps forward and across the cave, to a small alcove. There’s a shuffling sound, and then– he disappears.

After a few silent minutes, shuffling and clicking sound from further down from where the group is sleeping. Des wakes everyone up. Kratos wakes up half the villagers with his stomping. They make their way down another long tunnel, and find themselves in another room. It’s wet, and a small body of water glows with phosphorescence. Further down, there’s a spiral staircase. Kratos stomps his way down, Des following.
“Great idea, everybody,” Fairin says to no one. Roy has already begun her descent. Fairin follows.

Now deep into the Hagan’s Tooth, Kratos sees a shortsword with an intricate ivory handle laying on the ground. Before anyone can say “hey, that’s not suspicious at all, definitely pick that up,” Kratos has hefted it into his hand.

“Good idea,” Fairin says. No one is listening. The room they’ve entered has a long ramp up to another enormous door with huge dragon-like horns framing the doorway. On either side of the room, along the ramp, is murky, brackish water. Ivy hangs down the walls, and some kind of water vegetation strings and winds itself atop the water’s surface.

The ground is slippery, and in single file, Fairin in the lead– why not, he thinks, the rest of the day has been going so well, after all– they make their way toward the door. Dark shapes move in the water, following them.

As soon as they’re a few feet away from the large, dragon horn-framed door, four Koa-tua rise up from the water. Monstrous, disgusting fish creatures, gills sucking the air and large spears in their hands. The two creatures near the front, toward Fairin, throw their spears. One of them misses but the other pierces him through the leg. He tries to nock an arrow and fire in retaliation, but misses, the pain in his leg too much. The battle begins. Kratos flies into a rage, Desdemona calls on her magic, and Roywin dodges and parries attacks. One of the Koa-tua falls. Roywin is quick on her feet, and continues dodging. Spells light the air, the air crackling with ozone. Kratos bellows and attacks in his rage, killing one. Fairin swings his rapier, slicing one of the attackers in half, but eventually is pierced again by another spear, falling prone. He’s almost dragged under water, but Des, Roy, and Kratos manage to defeat the remaining creatures.

At the door, each of them take a turn listening, to see what they can hear. Fairin only hears a single voice, but he’s been bashed in the head, so no one takes him seriously. Roywin can hear five distinct voices. If there are more Koa-tua they might be totally screwed. But Desdemona points out that there might have been captives or prisoners of the fishlike creatures. The group opens the door.

They are met with four more Koa-tua, and a fifth Koa-tua wearing robes, holding a mechanical pincer that has Alexi in its grasp, dangling over a pool of acid. They are totally screwed.

Fairin rushes forward, slicing one of the creatures with his rapier. Roywin and Kratos follow, Desdemona taking the rear. More magic, more bashing and bellowing, more injury. Fairin dispatches of a Koa-tua and goes after the leader– a mistake. The leader drops Alexi into the acid pool and uses the pincer to grab Fairin. Everyone is exhausted, injured, close to passing out. Roywin goes after Fairin, Desdemona and Kratos teaming up against the Koa-tua. Roywin barely manages to get to Fairin in time– he’s been dropped in the pool of acid, but she’s able to drag him out. The leader tries to grab Roywin and misses. With the last of the Koa-tua dispatched, Kratos and Desdemona go after the leader.

It doesn’t end well, for the leader.

Fairin and Roy are pulled even further out from the pool of acid. Kratos grabs the leader’s pincer to try and pull Alexi out of the pool too– but something dark and tentacled grabs Alexi’s body and pulls him even further down.

The Koa-tua are defeated. Fairin and Roy are near-dead. Kratos and Desdemona are barely standing. But they’re technically alive.

As written by Desdamona

This is ridiculous.

We keep being side tracked.

After securing what we needed from the pole of light, we started to travel back to the Magical College of Magic. We were joined by a Gnome, who, apparently had been watching us from afar.And yet didn’t come and help us when we were almost killed by the knolls… anyway, she is with us now.

Unfortnualy, one of our party (Nemeia) felt the need to recoup, and we did not see her, but hopefully we shall soon.

We passed though a village, and, since they had a decent bed and some food, we stayed the night.

Merlin, was that a mistake. For some reason, we are still not sure why, the heavens opened and the town flooded. “flooded” does not describe what happened, it was utter choas. The entire town was swept away. There was fire and brimstone, Frenduil, i have to say was particularly courageous. She helped me numerous times with rope and such. She and the gnome seem to be getting along well.

We did everything we could, and saved most of the villagers. Sadly, that dragon born fool, Kronous, killed this beautiful dire wolf. I must remember to thank the gods for his spirit.

Oh and i saved someone’s life! Of course, now that we had saved all these villagers, we had no where to take them. So, we set out (with goats, my new horse, which i ALSO nobly saved from the flood, and around 50 villagers). Eventually, we had to stop, and the only available shelter was cave. Now, this cave had a dark reputation, we had even heard about it at the tavern last night. It was supposed to be cursed. Haunted. Made you go mad. Attacked you at night.

Well, we did, after being assured by the owner of the land that it was all just stories. So, we went in. At first it was fine, everyone fit at least. But everyone was weary and most wanted nothing more than to collapse in exhaustion. Obviously, this was the perfect time to casually drop into conversation….

“So guys- i’m really sorry, but…i’m-totally-sorry-i-lied-to-you-imn-ot-actually-part-of-the-magical-college-of-magic” So yeah. I confessed my lie. But i timed it pretty well, so the stupid dragon born was far more interested in just getting dry. He grunted a few questions at me and rolled away, seemingly unbothered. The other gave me odd looks, but they too, had bigger fish to fry, and let it pass.

It was on my watch (of course it was) that things started to go wrong.

The owner of the land (who had ASSURED us that everything was fine) got up, walked to the wall…and disappeared. Gone, totally. I gathered everyone and set out to follow him…in to the most disgusting place i could imagine. it was dark and slimly and there were these fish people everywhere! It was awful. It was…unnatrual. Well, we battled our way through and came to a bigger room…and a much bigger problem. We arrived just in time to see the owner of the land being thrown into this acid pool, i can hardly describe it. in fact, i dont want to describe it, its enough to say that we had another battle, and we won, barely. We did manage to find a beautiful (and magcail) sword, but that too, is a myserty.

The gnome seems to be doing well, she is amusing at least, and helpful at points.

There is a bright side to all this; now that we have been in our second battle (and i was just about the only person not to die!) every some seemed to have become slightly more experienced. Perhaps only by a little, but we do seem to be becoming slightly better at this whole thing…

Kratos (dragonborn, “aspect” and mercenary) receives a mission from the Silvestri in Vaethroden– find the point where magic converges near the borderlands and take a magical reading. On his travels, he passes through Halderon and happens upon Nemeia, another aspect (Tiamat/monk acolyte) (and the first he has ever seen).

Nemeia is on a day-trip to her hometown, Halderon, to pick up supplies for her Monastery (Lekuulo) and is haggling with a merchant over honey when she notices Kratos. Lifelong friend, Farrenduil (high elf acolyte to the thieves guild), bursts into this awkward introduction with other supplies for Nemeia.

Nemeia, Katros and Farrenduil take the conversation to the local tavern. Katros informs them that he has been asked to investigate something and asks if they would accompany him on his mission. Nem and Faren are interested, but the three end up in a bar fight when Faren uses sleight of hand in an attempt to confuse the bartender into paying for their drinks. The tavern’s bouncer forcefully takes the money, but having just welcomed these traveler’s into his company, Katros hits the bouncer square in the jaw, spittle flying and possible dislocation of said jaw. All the tavern-goers fall silent and the place clears out, so the three traveler’s sit down to have another brew.

The following day, Nemeia seeks council from the Order of Lekuulo and is given the permission she seeks to travel with Katros and learn more about what the Silvestri are so interested in. Faren meets with an agent of Barock(?) of the thieves guild and is also granted a leave to travel with Nemeia and Katros.

Meanwhile, somewhere in the depths of The Lynk Wood, a young wood elf (druid apprentice), Tamlyn, is tending her cottage when Desdamina (high elf druid) appears on her doorstep in search of a warm fire and place to rest. Tamlyn is full of inquiry about what it is like to be a wandering druid since her adopted mother and caretaker had passed and she had been living a solitary life ever since. As the talk continues into the night, Desdamina invites Tamlyn to accompany her in the search for what is causing the strange droughts that were beginning to affect their lands.

On the road to the magical convergence, Desdamina and Tamlyn have set up camp. They hear footsteps approaching and run for cover, but Tamlyn (in her inexperience) forgets to grab her knapsack.

As they approach the campsite, Nemeia warns her fellow traveler’s that something is off… but Faren, ever questing for free gear, immediately starts ruffling through the knapsack. Forgetting herself, Tamlyn pokes her head out from behind her rock and tells Faren to quit it, that’s her stuff. The group is wary of each other, but Desdamina charms the newcomers by convincing them that she was sent their to meet them and to guide them on their quest. Without questioning it (much), Katros confides that he has this 3-piece equipment that he is meant to measure the magical energy with. The group can now see a strange light in the distance that is going straight into the sky, they believe this to be the source of magical energy where they may find some answers ( Pillar of Fire

Upon arriving on the neighboring hilltop to the magical beam of light, the group notices there is a short, spiked wall, clearly some kind of camp that has been made around the pillar of fire. They determine to wait until dark and send Faren and Nem to scope out the scene. True to their training Faren & Nem are able to sneak in and out of the camp unnoticed and witness very strange things: they hear off-beat drumming and see Gnolls (half wolf, half man) dancing with abandon. The Gnolls seem to be unfed, but some are eating their brethren. A bloodcurdling scream takes their attention and they see a Gnoll with his arms and legs held out being fed into the Pillar of Fire. When he is pulled back out he is covered in fatal burns.

After reporting back to the rest of their group as to what they have seen, they decide to sneak into camp and dispatch of Gnolls so they can study the anomaly and take magical readings. Unfortunately, the general tide of this evening’s battle could have gone much better. The highlights are:
-Nem stumbles and nearly gives away the group as they sneak into camp (but Faren catches her)
- Two Gnolls are feasting on their burned friend, and are surprised when the group attacks from the shadows.
- Tamlyn always hits her mark with her crossbow but she can’t decide on a target so she injures several Gnolls
- Katros keeps missing his target with his Morningstar, goes into a battle rage, tries to breathe ozone at the attacking Gnolls but ends up stumbling mid-breath and burns his own face
- Desdamona throws a tangled roots spell that was meant to tangle her opponent, however, she also is unable to entrap the targeted Gnoll. When she tries to fling acid instead she ends up setting her robes on fire and has to retreat to a safer distance
- Nem runs in with sword swinging, but she is tripped up by the oblivious, dancing gnoll. As she swings and misses the gnoll, she immediately becomes the target of their hunger and is savagely attacked by two of them at once.

Nem ends up with severe lacerations up and down her back, and an inability to protect herself. She is unconscious when Faren and Tamlyn are finally able to kill the two attacking Gnolls (and more importantly, keep them from eating her). Katros is enraged and beheads one of the Gnolls while the companion is shaking from fright. Eventually all of the Gnolls have been dispatched and Tamlyn is able to staunch Nemeia’s wounds and stabalize her for the near future though she will probably be unconscious for about an hour.